Hey all, I got a pretty nice balisong in a "flea market" (google trad here) for ~2€. I started playing around with it and I'm already pretty much addicted to it. Today I went to my favorite gunsmith but they cost around 300~350€ each. I'm looking for a cheap online store with good knives but not too expensive (~20/30€).

I know these are illegal in the UK, other EU states may have similar laws.

I like knives, but I can't help you because balisongs are illegal in the UK.

We're allowed to keep them in our houses if we already own them, but you can't buy or sell one here.

If I were you and could buy one legally I'd go to a reputable US online seller like knifecenter.com. They'll mail abroad as long as it doesn't break your local laws.

Completly legal here in france Thanks for the link, I'll check it later

Any particular reason why these are illegal? What about other knives?

Re: Legality - for those not in France - wiki summary is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_knife#Legal_status

[I was just curious, but might save anyone else the typing into google :) ]. See section at the start of that wikipedia article. Reactive legislation that doesn't seem to be entirely, just partially, rational :)

In the UK, the balisong has been legally classified as an offensive weapon since January 1989.[5] Whilst they are legal to possess, carrying one in public is an offence under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953. Sale, lending, hiring, giving or importing is prohibited by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, as amended by the Offensive Weapons Act 1996. Any imported are liable to be seized and prosecution may follow. The exception to this are knives of this type over 100 years old which are classed as antiques.

You can get a nice replica of a badass "tanto" for the price you want, from "Swords of the East". Perfectly balanced, longer blade than that butterfly push-over and perfect for performing katas and complex moves. You 'll fall in love with it, from the moment your hand grips it!

Check out this website: http://www.euro-knife.com/butterfly-knives/

Interesting list, thanks for sharing. It's fascinating how much the laws on these vary, depending on the country or state you live in. Everything, from entirely legal, to completely prohibited, to the point where even the mere possession of such a knife is a criminal offense.

I was mostly puzzled about what makes this type of knife so special, to require its own laws, aside from being easier to carry around and conceal. I figure they should just have the same laws for all knives exceeding a certain size, regardless of the design or specific features. There's any number of kitchen tools which could easily be just as deadly.

Must be first world thing.
Here we use knives either for cutting veggies or cutting throats.
Never saw anyone playing with knives except in circus.

Anyway if you find one try not to get hurt.
Also we used to make knives in our engineering workshop.
See if you can find some students or any workshop near by.
You may get some decent butterfly knives for free.

Good copy and paste.

Do you have a link? I don't know what it is :/
Cutting throats is not only an option where I do live :p
I may try the "local workshop" thingy too. Even if I don't think that there will be one around here.

http://www.swordsoftheeast.com/ryumonfoldeddragontantored.aspx

Thank you!